zschegh



2 sheets-sheet 1. G. H. ZSGHECH.

MACHINE POR HARVBSTING CORN.

(No Model.)

Patented Dec. 26, 1882.

N. PETERS. Phamuumgmphr. washingm. u. c.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

G. H. ZSCHBOH.

Mmm-NB PonH'ARVBSTING'GORN.

' 10.26.2553. Patented Den. 26, 1882.

ill

mwnkor:

jigiu: fafafll. N

26mm.. Mm

It ruins Piwmunmwxw. Mmmm. n. c.

UNITED STATES"-PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVUS H. ZSCHEGH, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO ALBERT GALIn vOF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE POR HARVESTING CORN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,553, dated December 26, 1882.

Application nien April 12, rese. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern: chine. Fig. 6 is a vertical section, and Fig. 7

Be it known that LGUSTAVUS H. ZSCHEOH, is a plan view. l of Indianapolis7 Marion county, in the State Similarletters ofreferenceindicatelike parts 55 otlndiana, have invented certain new and usein all the figures. v5 fulImprovementsrelating'toMachines for Har- A is the main frame-work ot' the machine. vesting Indian Corn and Analogous Crops; I employ slightly divergent and curved poles, and I do hereby declare that the following is and take care to so arrange the means for ata full and exact description thereof. taching the animals tha-t there shall be noth- 6o My machine may be used with some success ing on the inner sides of the poles to interfere 1o for harvesting sugarloane and various other with the smooth guidance ot' the stalks along crops; but I will describe the machine as that surface. adapted and applied for harvesting Indian B B are stout bearing-wheels, serving also corinsometimes termed maize The machine as driving-wheels for the machinery. B' B 65 is adapted to be drawn by two horses or other are short shafts of said wheels, and D D are f5 animals walkingone on each side of' the row inclined shafts` extendinginward and upward ot'stal ks to be out. Two poles are employed, therefrom. The union of each shaft B D by mounted ata little distance apart, each curved the aid ot' the pin c and the accompanying outward at the forward end, to serve as means parts constitutes a universal joint. The shafts 7o for gathei ing the stalks together and for guid- B are supported at each side ofthe wheelhub zo ing the machine. I provide for cutting oftl the in removable bearings or bushes b2, which are several stalks at a proper height by the aid of' set in a forked part of the main frame, which revolving shears. I accompany the shears by partly embraces the wheel B. The construca series ot' revolving fingers. The revolving tion of these hearings is peculiar and offers 75' shears or knives work in shearing contact with great facility for rapidly7 replacing `the parts z5 a stationary central knife. The latter is capa which are subject to wear without the use of' ble of being rocked or tilted on a horizontal any special tools. rlhe bearings bzare formed axis at the rear end. The position ofthe forwith flanges, as shown, and are inserted into ward end is adjusted upand down with great the branches ot the forked parts of the fram- 8o delicacy. I provide for steadyingand gathering from the interior. Each piece or bush is 3o ing together the stalks at higher levels and formed with a longitudinal ridge or swell, b3,

urging them through the cutters by means of' which enters into a corresponding groove, revolving fingers or reels mounted on upright formed in the hole or seat of' each branch ot' or nearly upright shafts. Ialso provide means the frame, as shown, so as to preventtheturn- 85 for setting the latter shalts at different incliing of the bearing b2. Each of these bush- 35 nations forward and backward by means of bearings has a smoothly-bored hole for thereracks and segments of' gearing, so as to allow ception of the shaft B. The hole inthe exthe inclination lo be changed rapidly, accordterior piece, b2, is -t'ormed with a spline or 1oning as the stalks of Indian corn or other crop gitudinal groove, b, as indicated in Figs. l 9o are found to be inclined one way or the other. and 2. rIhe width ot' the hub of' the wheel B 4o The following is a description of' what Iconand of the flanges of both the bushes b2 corre- .sider the best means of carrying out the insponds greatly to the width ot' the space `bevention. y tween the hubs of the fork of' the frame A, so

The accompanying drawings form a partof as to prevent lateral play, care being taken to 95 this specification. so proportion the parts that the bearings b2 45 Figure l is a general front elevation ofthe can be inserted from the interipr of the fork. machine, partly in section. Fig. 2 isa section The interior ot' the wheel-hub is also splined, on the line .fr a in Fig. 1, showing a detail on so as to receive the keyor feather b5, engaging a larger scale. Fig.3isa vertical section. Fig. it with the shaft B. After the pieces b2 are roo et is a side elevation, partly in section. Fig. 5 inserted with their ridges in the corresponding 5o is a plan. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 represent certain grooves in the holes in the fork the wheel B parts of the machine on a larger scale. Figs. is brought into place with Yits hub between 6 and 7 show certain other parts ot' the mathe flanges of' the pieces b2, and then turned until the spline iu the wheel-hub comes inl means of the arms'PP/,fixed on partially roline with the spline in the exterior piece, b2. Then the shaft is inserted from the outside, the key b5 having been previously placed in its seat in said shaft. The spline bAL in the eXterior bearing,b2,allows the passage of the shaft with its key, and the latter finally matches into the spline in the wheel-hub.- After the shaft B is thrustin sufficiently far, so that the entire length of its key b5 is received in the spline of/ the wheel-hub, the wheel Bis turned, and it will now be seen that the parts are not liable to become disengaged, as the key b5, bearing against square shoulders in the shaft as well as against the. anges of the piece b2,

holds said shaft positively in position, allowing it to turn in the pieces b2 when in use, the motion being transmitted to the shaft from the wheel through the key b5.

Whenit is desired to separate the parts to substitute fresh bushings b2, or for any other reason, it is only necessary to slowly turn the wheel. feeling at the same time on the shaft until the position is reached in which its key comes in line with the spline 1fL of the exterior bearing-piece, when the shaft may be thrust out.

On each shaftD is carried a wheel,D,which supports and rotates a circular knife, d. l 0n the upper and inner face of each knife d is a reel, D2, having a rim, which presses fairly against the knife d near the periphery of the latter, and ngers d2, reaching outward in inclined positions, as indicated in Fig. l. The two inclined rotary knives d d run with their lower portions in shearing contact with a stationary knife, m M, which is mounted at its rear end on a suitable support or socket, A, cast with and forming a part of the fixed framework A by a bearing, which allows it to be rocked. Its forward end, m, is rounded or dull-pointed, and adapted to separate the several stalks as they are successively crowded against it while the machine is moved rapidly forward. All the stalks which are carried to onc side of this stationary knife are sheared off by the contact ofthe knife d on that side.

K All the stalks which are carried to the other side are sheared off by the contact of the other knife d. The fingers d2, by rotating with the knives d, engage with the several stalks and insure their prompt movement through thecutters. The adjustment of the forward end m of the knife is effected by the aid of an eyebolt,M4, pivoted to m-forward ofthe socket A, and capable of being delicately adjusted by nuts l 5 M6, which engage respectively above and below a forwardly-proiecting portion of the fixed framing A, as shown in Fig. 6.

E E are sharpening-blocks, of emery or an alogous materials, mounted in housings with springs. They apply against'the revolving knives d and keep them constantly sharp.

The several stalks are retained on the machine for a greater or less period until a sufficient number have accumulated to make one convenientbuncliorbundle. Thisiseffectedby tating shafts P, supported in stationary bearings in a sleeve, A, bolted tothe fixed framework. I provide by a stron g spring-catch and attached means for holding these parts firmly upto receiveasufticientbundleofthestalks,and then tolet them go suddenly to deposit the same on the ground. Coiled springs surround each shaft P in the space provided between it and its inclosing casing. One end of each of these springs engages with a hub fixed on its respective shaft P. The other end of the springengages with a ratchet-wheel, which is adjustable when required, and held in the desired position by a suitable pawl. By this means the force of the springs may be adjusted with the required degree of nicety. There is sufficient length of each coiled spring to allow a liberal turning motion to the shafts P. The tension of the springs should be so adjusted that when a sufficient quantity of stalks hasby the action of thc machine been cut off and caused to lie on or to strongly press against the arms P the weight thereof is sufficient to turn the respective shafts P in opposition to the force of the springs and cause the discharge of the bundle in a mass upon the ground; yet there should be sufficient tension to the springs to turn the shafts P, with their respective arms, promptly back again to the position for receiving more stalks as soon as the bundle is thus delivered. The arms P' are set at such angles in their respective shafts P that they cross cach other. The coiled spring around one shaft P is adjusted more stiftly than that around the other. It follows that immediately 0n the delivery of the bundle of stalks one of the arms P rises promptly to its place and the other follows more tardily. Thus thatv arm with the weaker spring is certain to lie under the other. The shaft P, carrying the supporting-arm having the weaker spring, (shown in Fig. l on the left side,) has on its front end an arm, P3, formed with a beveled end. When the respective bars P are vin position for receiving stalks the arm P3 is held rigidly by a sliding catch, It, correspondingly beveled, mounted, and free to slide vertically in the frame-work. This catch R is urged downward with gentle force by a suitable spring inclosed in the framing. T is a lever turning on a fixed center, t, and engaging under a cross-pin in the slide R. The lever T is pulled by the attendant riding in a seat conveniently mounted,

and by pulling thereon at the proper time heA can turn the lever T and raise the slide R stifficiently to liberate the arm P3. Care being taken to do this only when there is a sufficient load ofstalks lying on the arms P, much greater than can be supported by the tension of their springs, the movement of the lever T results in a prompt partial rotation of each shaft P, and-the discharge ofthe bundle of stalks. This is followed by the prompt return, first, ofthe arm P on the left side of the machine, and immediately after of the arm P on the right side, the beveled end of the arm P3 lifting the IOO 'IOS

IIO

' on A10.

sliding catch R and being` engaged by it so soon as it has passed.

Itis obviously important to provide against the rise of the arms P' too high. This is accomplished by a stop or dog on each shaft P engaging with a corresponding stop on the fixed frame-work A. Each of the dogs carried by the shaft P is held thereon by a pinchingscrew, so that it can be adjusted to regulate the stopping of the arms I" at such height as may be desired.

Each shaftD is extended inward and upward beyond the knife dand the accompanying reel D2, and each is connected by a universal joint, G', to a shaft, G, extending upward and outward, and which may incline forward or backward, or neither, as desired. Each shaft G is supported by the universal joint G' and by an adjustable bearing, A7, mounted at a suitable elevation on an arched arm or horn, A70, of the framing A. Above the bearings A7 the shafts G are splined or grooved, and' carry one or more pairs of reels or spider-wheels, I', which ser\ e to guide the stalks through the machine in an upright or nearly upright position as 'they are cut off below by the circular cutters d. The reels I' may he adjusted up and down on the shafts G by means of pinching-screws, the lfeathers g always insuring the turning of the reels I with the shafts G. These shafts G require to be inclined forward or backward considerably under some conditions, eminently when the stalks are temporarily inclined in consequence of a high wind or from any other canse. I provide for inclining the two shafts G backward and forward withgreat promptness. Each may be shifted independently. The means being similar, a description of one will snice for both. The adjacent face of each horn Alo is adapted to engage with and also to allow the corresponding bearing, A7, to move forward and backward to accommodate itself 1o the changing angle ofthe shaft G, which it is to support. The upper edge of each bearing A7 is formed with rack-teeth, as shown.

Yis a geared segment, corresponding to the rack A7 and engaged therewith. It turns on a pivot, y, xed on the horn A70, and is provided with a handle,Y', and spring-dog y', the latter arranged to engage in suitable notches Whenever it is desired to shift the inclination of eithervof the shafts G, the attendant grasps the corresponding handle, Y', and with it the springalog y', so as to disengage thelatter from its notch. Then astrong movement of the hand turns the segmentY and shifts the bearing A7 forward or backward, asrequired. On releasing the parts the springdog y engages in the proper notch and holds the hearing A7in the new position, and consequently holds the shaft G at the new inclination until occa-sion shall arise for again changing it. a7 are retaining-bolts, the nuts on which are set to hold the bearing A7 against the face of the horn A10 without playbetween these parts, but still with sufficient looseness to allow the bearing A7 to slide on the face ofthe horn A70 when so moved by means of the lever and seg' ment Y Y.

Modications may be made in many of the details.

` I can use other forms of universal joint than that shown. I can enlarge the diameter and change the dimensions and proportions of many of the other parts.

I can employ any number of toothed wheels or corresponding spider-armed devices on the shafts G. I have shown a few such. lt is important to arrange them so that one can turn faster than the other or independently of the other. It will be observed that as the cutting devices on the respective sides are driven independently by their respective driving-wheels, the motions do not always correspond, and in some cases, especially in turning short corners, the motions of the cutting devices on the two sides are very unequal, or even possibly in opposite directions. this by mounting the reel or reels on one side sufliciently higher than the reel or reels on the other side to allow each to revolve freely with ont contact with the other, while they are suf# ficiently near to act as a unit on the stalks which are received and moved by them.

I do not in this patent claim the means for sharpeningthe cutters,accumulating the stalks in bunches and discharging them, or any of the combinations or parts, except as hereinafter recited.

I claim as my inventionl. In a harvesting-machine, the adjustable center knil'e, m Mfturning in a socket, A, near the heel, in combination with the eyebolt M4l and nuts M5 M6, and with the framing A and revolving shears d and suitable impelling means for the latter, substantially as herein specied.

2. The movable bearing A7 and adjustable segment Y, with means, as Y' y', for operating 'and securing the latter, in combination with each other, and with the shafts (fr, carrying the reels I' and their impelling means, arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

3. The bearing composed of two lixed hubs, carrying bearing pieces'or bushes b2, applied from within, Yand having means to prevent their turning, in combination with a splined wheel-hub and a shaft, B', the latter carrying a key, b5, the whole so arranged that the shaft with its key may he introduced from one end, butis prevented from becoming disengaged by the abutting ends of the key, exceptin ouc position of the wheel-hub, substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Indianapolis, 1ndiana.,this 24th day of March, 1882, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAVUS H. ZSUHEOH.

Witnesses:

JOHN W. CLAYPooL,

CHARLES C. sTn'rsoN.

I allow- 

